Vancouver

Ten Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to theirs…and yours!

ART |The Burrard Arts Foundation has an exhibition opening this week that documents the process of deconstruction in Vancouver. Using photographs and short films, artist Evann Siebens captures the dismantling of our city. From BAF: “What may have been inhabited for half a century can be demolished in a day. The bulldozers that tear them down are like surgical tools; they hesitate and meander before digging in, creating a dance, a conversation between static structure and the choreography of change.” This exhibition runs through to May 9th but we suggest hitting the opening night reception on Thursday night.Thu, Apr. 9 | 7pm-10pm | BAF Studio (108 East Broadway) | DETAILS

NATURE | Ever walk through Stanley Park at night and wonder what animals might be hiding close by? The folks at the Stanley Park Ecology Society are gearing up to take interested Vancouverites on a Night Animal Prowl this Friday night that will bring you up to speed on the habits of skunks, racoons, coyotes and owls. Wear sensible footwear and come out a more informed city dweller. The SPES Nature House is located on the southeastern shore of Lost Lagoon under the viewing plaza at the north end of Chilco/Alberni. For more information or to register, phone 604-718-6522 or email programs [at] stanleyparkecology ca.Sat, Apr. 11 | 7pm | Stanley Park Ecology Society – Nature House | $10 | DETAILS

FILM |Catch Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner: The Final Cut on the big screen at the Rio Theatre this week. “Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced by his old police boss (M. Emmet Walsh) to continue his old job as a Replicant Hunter. His assignment: eliminate four escaped Replicants from the colonies who have returned to Earth. Before starting the job, Deckard goes to the Tyrell Corporation and he meets Rachel (Sean Young), a Replicant girl he falls in love with.” If you haven’t seen it lately, do it! This is a great film in a great theatre that just so happens to have bar service).Apr. 9 & 10 | 9:15 | Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway) | $12 | DETAILS

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE… |A meatball themed pop-up hits East Hastings St. this weekend. For $22, Meatball & Co., brought to us by Chef Karl Gregg of Big Lou’s, will offer diners the choice between a classic meatball dinner or meatball sliders and fries. Dinner includes a beer or sangria and profiteroles with salted caramel and chocolate sauce.Apr. 10 + 11 | 6pm – Sell Out | 337 East Hastings St | DETAILS

SAKURA |It’s been a good year for blossoms so far. Take some time out to appreciate the fluffy signals of spring by hitting Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen this weekend. The gardens will be packed full of cherry blossom gazers, live entertainment, arts and crafts tables, and martial arts performers as well as tea ceremony stations, haiku readings, flower arranging displays, origami making booths and lots of traditional and anime-inspired costumes.Apr. 11 & 12 | 10am-5pm | VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak) | $12 | DETAILS

BIKE THE BLOSSOMS |The good folks of Velopalooza (a local organization that promotes fun bike rides and activities around Vancouver) and the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival have joined forces to offer a free guided bike tour of some of the most stunning examples of tree-studded boulevards and parks in the city. The window for blossom viewing is short, so get on a bike and take it in. Bonus: VanCycle Mobile Bike Shop will be around to help with the squeaks and rattles. Check out the full route here.Sat, Apr. 11 | 11am–3pm | Leaves John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park, East Van at 11am | DETAILS

CURATED |Even thought the concept itself is useful and good, the trend of curating has become so ubiquitous that it not only applies to art but to everything from coffee beans and clothing to beard tonics and mustards. If you’re curious about curation, you’ll want to catch up with David Balzer (Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else) at the Contemporary Art Gallery where the author will be talking about ‘where curating began, how it came to dominate museums and galleries, and how it was co-opted at the turn of the millennium as the dominant mode of organizing.’ We have a hunch that this will be a fascinating evening.Fri, Apr. 10 | 7pm | Contemporary Art Gallery (555 Nelson St.) | DETAILS

PHOTOGRAPHY | The Capture Photography Festival continues this week. Focused on showcasing all manner of ‘lens-based art’ created by emerging and established artists from here and around the world, Capture 2015 boasts dozens of exhibitions. Complimenting the visual component of the festival are a series of tours, talks, and workshops that are open to the public. This week, we recommend you checking out Eraser Street at Grunt Gallery – a collection of photos by Henri Robideau that chronicles ‘moments, milestones, and monuments in Vancouver history.’ Capture is comprised of close to 50 exhibitions running now through April 29. Also – check out Chris MacArthur’s show at Truth & Beauty Gallery (698 West 16th) for a dose of real life in Spirit River, Alberta. For a full listing of exhibitions and events, take a look at the official website.Now through Apr. 29 | various locations | DETAILS

SCRUB UP |Feeling dirty? Good news: Blim is offering a Gourmet Soap Making class this weekend. Instructor Roberta Wover of Ripe Soap Company will give an overview of the history and basic chemistry of soap making, introduce the materials, supplies and equipment that you’ll need to make your own soap and fill you in on safety considerations (the task does involve working with sodium hydroxide after all). You’ll also learn how to amp things up with natural colours, herbs, spices, clays and scents (that’s the gourmet part).Sat, Apr. 11 | 2-5pm | Blim (115 Pender St. E) | $91 (incl. all materials) | DETAILS

EAT LOCAL |The Winter Farmers Market takes place this Saturday. Stinging nettles and fiddleheads are in season. Pick ’em up and feast while you can. And hook yourself up with hearty root vegetables, fresh bread, dried fruits and scores of other locally-grown goodies while you’re at it.Sat, Apr. 11 | 10am – 2pm | 4601 Ontario Street | DETAILS